Richard Naylor's double strike helped promotion-chasing Ipswich secure an expected victory over struggling Swindon at Portman Road.

It took Ipswich 27 minutes to open the scoring through Mike Stockwell, who was making his 601st senior appearance.

Stockwell drove home a low-angled shot from 15 yards after pressure from David Johnson had forced makeshift sweeper Bobby Howe into a weak clearance.

Ten minutes later the lively Naylor increased the Ipswich lead when he flicked the ball over the head of goalkeeper Frank Talia after clever work in the penalty area by James Scowcroft.

There were three bookings before the interval. Swindon skipper Scott Leitch was shown the yellow card for a foul on Matt Holland after 31 minutes.

A minute later Ipswich player coach Tony Mowbray was booked for kicking the ball into the net after being flagged for offside.

There was controversy in the 43rd minute when Johnson was tripped by Howe when through on goal.

Howe was booked but was fortunate to stay on the field.

Swindon persisted with the sweeper system after the interval despite their problems.

In the 49th minute Howe chested away a goalbound shot from Jamie Clapham with Talia diving the wrong way.

Then Talia saved a close-range effort from Johnson before Howe checked Johnson with a well-timed tackle in the next Ipswich attack.

In the 67th minute a slip by Howe let in Scowcroft but Talia brought off a reflex save.

After 71 minutes history was made when Gary Croft, released from prison earlier in the week, replaced Stockwell.

Croft played with an electronic tag strapped to his ankle - the first player to do so in a League game.

After 82 minutes Ipswich added a third goal when Clapham crossed from the left for Naylor to head home his second goal of the match and eighth of the season.

Naylor had scored two goals at Swindon as well in August.

In the last minute Talia saved well from Scowcroft but was unable to hold the ball which was booted off the line by Alan Reeves.

It was Ipswich's 12th league match without defeat and Swindon's twelfth without a win.

Teams:

Ipswich: R. Wright, Stockwell (Croft 71), McGreal, Mowbray, Venus, Clapham, Holland (J. Wright 86), Magilton, Scowcroft, Johnson (Axeldal 83), Naylor.

Subs Not Used: Salmon, Midgley.

Booked: Mowbray.

Goals: Stockwell 27, Naylor 37, 82.

Swindon: Talia, Robinson (J. Williams 63), Hall, Reeves, A. Williams, Leitch, B. Howe, Hulbert (Campagna 73), McHugh, Hay, Cowe (Griffin 63).

Subs Not Used: S. Howe, McAreavey.

Booked: Leitch, B. Howe.

Att: 17,326

Ref: P Walton (Northants).